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LLama Loo

🎄 Christmas 🌟 From Past to Present to Promise: Part 3 - When Heaven Touched Earth When the fullness of time had come, God’s plan moved from prophecy to reality. The decree of Caesar Augustus sent every family to register in their ancestral town. For Joseph, a descendant of David, that meant traveling from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the “House of Bread,” fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Mary was heavy with child, and the journey south was long and arduous — nearly ninety miles of rugged, crowded roads. The census had drawn thousands to the city of David, leaving no room in any inn. Luke records simply: “She brought forth her firstborn Son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) The King of kings entered the world not in a palace, but in a stable — the same God who once dwelled in unapproachable glory now resting in straw. ⸻ 👼 The Angels and the Shepherds That night, on the hills outside Bethlehem, humble shepherds kept watch over their flocks. These were ordinary men — uncelebrated, even looked down upon in society. Yet to them, heaven opened. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” (Luke 2:9–11) The angel gave them a sign: “You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:12) 🎄 CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Joy #Christmas #History #Jesus #Nativity #Love #Peace

LLama Loo

🎄Christmas 🌟 From Past to Present to Promise - Part 2: Conceived in Prophecy, Born in Obscurity Most people today assume that the birth of a King — especially the King of Kings — would have been a global spectacle. Surely the heavens should have thundered, the rulers of earth should have trembled, and history should have recorded the fanfare. But when Yeshua the Messiah entered the world, it happened quietly, under the cover of night, in a crowded city overflowing with travelers for a Roman census. There was no public announcement, no royal herald, no political protection — only divine orchestration. At that time, the Jewish people had long awaited the coming of HaMashiach (the Anointed One). Prophets had declared His arrival for centuries — yet after four hundred years of prophetic silence, many hearts had grown cold, and hope had dimmed. Still, faithful remnants watched and prayed, longing for the One who would redeem Israel. Meanwhile, the Roman Empire — the most powerful government the world had ever known — stretched across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Emperor Caesar Augustus ruled from marble palaces, and his decrees carried to every corner of the empire. The world believed he was the savior of mankind, the “son of god,” as Roman coins declared. But in a small, oppressed province called Judea, the true Son of God was about to enter the world — not in a palace, but in a manger. ⸻ 🔥 Conceived in Prophecy Every moment of Yeshua’s conception and birth fulfilled ancient Scripture. • Isaiah 7:14 foretold, “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” • Micah 5:2 declared that the Ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah. • Genesis 49:10 promised the Messiah would descend from the line of Judah. • Isaiah 9:6–7 revealed that the child born would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 🎄CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Christmas #Jesus #History #God #Bible

LLama Loo

🎄 Christmas: From Past to Present to Promise - Part 1 Christmas, in its purest form, means Christ’s Mass — a day of worship celebrating the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach, the promised Messiah. Yet the day we now call Christmas has walked a long, winding road — from ancient traditions, to cultural transformation, to the enduring promise of Emmanuel: God with us. ⸻ 🕯️ From Saturnalia to the Season of Light Long before the first Christ’s Mass, ancient Rome celebrated Saturnalia each December: days of feasting, singing, greenery, candles, and gift-giving in honor of the god Saturn. A few days later came Dies Natalis Solis Invicti — “the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun.” Bonfires and torches symbolized the sun’s return after the winter solstice, and the city rejoiced with races, music, and shared meals. When the empire eventually turned toward Christianity, many of those outward customs — community feasts, decorations of evergreen, exchanging gifts, and lighting candles against the darkness — remained familiar expressions of seasonal joy. It’s vital to understand that a tradition is not automatically pagan because it once existed in a pagan culture. The question has always been who we honor, not how we celebrate. Fellowship, music, and light can glorify God when our focus is on the Creator, not the creation. ⸻ ⛪ The Birth of Christ’s Mass In the fourth century A.D., the Roman Catholic Church formally established December 25 as the day to commemorate the Messiah’s birth, calling it Christ’s Mass. The date did not come from Scripture but was chosen to redirect attention from the pagan “Birthday of the Sun” to the worship of the true Son of God. Over the centuries the observance spread throughout Europe and became deeply woven into Catholic tradition. 🎄CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Christmas #History #Jesus #Bible

LLama Loo

3 John — A Brief Introduction to the Bible Part 59** 3 John is the most personal of all the New Testament letters. It does not address doctrine broadly or confront false theology directly. Instead, it exposes something just as dangerous to the health of the Church: prideful leadership, abuse of authority, and resistance to truth. Written by the Apostle John in his later years, this short letter reads like a pastoral report — praising what is good, correcting what is harmful, and calling believers to discernment in whom they support and follow. In only a few verses, John draws a sharp contrast between two types of leadership: • One rooted in love, hospitality, and faithfulness • One driven by control, ego, and self-promotion The message is simple — and sobering: Not everyone who holds influence is walking in truth. ⸻ Audience & Setting John writes directly to a believer named Gaius, commending him for his faithfulness, integrity, and support of traveling ministers who were faithfully spreading the gospel. At the same time, John addresses the destructive behavior of Diotrephes, a man who loved to be first, rejected apostolic authority, spread malicious accusations, and actively blocked others from showing hospitality to faithful believers. This letter shows us that the early Church did not struggle only with external persecution — it also faced internal power struggles. ⸻ Major Themes 1. Walking in Truth John expresses joy not in numbers, success, or reputation — but in seeing believers walk faithfully in truth. Faith is measured by daily obedience, not by title or visibility. 2. Hospitality as Gospel Partnership Supporting faithful servants of Christ is presented as active participation in the work of the gospel. Hospitality is not peripheral — it is ministry. ✝️ CONTINUED IN COMMENTS ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #Love #Peace #Hospitality #Kindness #Bible #God #Jesus